Athletics Living-Learning Community: Careers

Investigating Major Issues in Careers

A good way to find issues in your chosen career is to visit an association or organization website that focuses on your field.  There are professional and trade associations for almost every profession and industry.  Their purpose is to promote the profession, represent the interests of professional practitioners, and answer any queries from the public. 

Finding Information about your chosen Profession

1. Go to Occupational Outlook Handbook.  The Handbook includes information about your profession, education requirements, earnings, links to information about the job market in each state, and trade association information.
2. Search for your career.
3. Note: Scroll to the section on "Sources of Additional Information" to find professional or trade associations that represent the field.

Examples of the kinds of groups you'll encounter include:

• American Nurses Association
• American Psychological Association
• American Society of Journalists and Authors
• National Association of Social Workers
• National Education Association
• Association of Information Technology Professionals

   

Browsing a Professional or Trade Organization Website

A quality professional/trade organization website can help you research current issues in your current profession and locate trade publications.

• Finding Issues - Look for links labeled: News, Publications, Research, Topics, Frequently Asked Questions, and Press Releases.
• Finding Publications - Look for links labeled: Publications
  • Trade Publications are sometimes provided for free via the association website.  If they are not provided for free, check to see if the library has a subscription via the E-Journal/E-Book Portal.

Professional Organizations are a helpful source for career information.  Below are examples of large professional organizations.  Check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook to identify groups that represent your future career.

Joyner Library Databases for Career Research

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